Liberty Medal to Spielberg

Under a gorgeous autumn sky on Independence Mall in Philadelphia,director Steven Spielberg received the Liberty City Medal in aceremony at the National Constitution Center October 8.

President Bill Clinton, current chairman of the Center presented theaward to Spielberg, after Philadelphia Mayor Nutter, Governor EdRendell and other dignitaries spoke about the filmmaker‘s artistic andhumanitarian contributions. In his acceptance speech the directortalked about freedom and patriotism.

He recited the preamble to the constitution, which is etched on theConstitution Center’s south wall, calling the words “a lesson in art.” He called Jefferson and Lincoln “writers of genius….These were greatartists.” He made a plea for government to be committed to makingart and making “a better world.”

“Art is one way the human community remembers what it has beenthrough,” he said, and can serve as a mitzvah in “repairing a brokenworld.” Spielberg said.

Spielberg joins a distinguished list of activists and world figures toreceive the Medal – Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan,Presidents Clinton and George H.W.Bush, to name a few. But,Spielberg is one of only a few in the arts and the only filmmaker toreceive the award. Bono was awarded in 2007 for his worldwidehumanitarian work and Vaclav Havel, President of the Czech Republicand playwright, won in 1994.

Several speakers noted Spielberg’s impact on American cinema,particularly his films that deal with racism, anti-Semitism, war andthe importance of remembering victims of genocide. Rendell alsonoted his impact lighter fare, he thanked him for the pure thrillsSpielberg gave audiences in film like Jaws and E.T.

Clips were shown from ’The Color Purple’ which was the first of thedirector’s films to deal with serious social issues. ‘View’ hostWhoopie Goldberg, who starred in the movie, spoke about Spielberg’sunique relationship with actors. “He gets it.” she said, after a fewmeandering jokes. Scenes from ’Amistad’ ’Saving Private Ryan’ and‘Schindler’s List’ were also shown.

Clinton said Spielberg has distinguished himself “As a filmmaker asa humanitarian and a citizen activist… He noted that the directorused “ proceed from ‘Schindler’s List’ to establish the ShoahFoundation. “105,000 hours of precious footage and now they areworking to do the same thing to record the survivors of the Rwandiangenocide.” Clinton notedthat just when people were starting to forget and even deny Naziatrocities against Jews, Spielberg made Schindler’s List.

Musicians from the Curtis Institute of Music played the somber themefrom “Schindler’s List” and folk guitarist Richie Havens, lookingageless and sounding better than ever, performed ‘Motherless Child’with the refrain of freedom, ringing out over Independence Mall.